U.S. patent application number 16/665036 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-04 for air purification device.
The applicant listed for this patent is HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Shinji Kakizaki, Subaru Matsumoto.
Application Number | 20200171925 16/665036 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70850712 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-04 |
![](/patent/app/20200171925/US20200171925A1-20200604-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200171925/US20200171925A1-20200604-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200171925/US20200171925A1-20200604-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20200171925/US20200171925A1-20200604-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20200171925/US20200171925A1-20200604-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20200171925/US20200171925A1-20200604-D00005.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20200171925 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsumoto; Subaru ; et
al. |
June 4, 2020 |
AIR PURIFICATION DEVICE
Abstract
An air purification device includes an adsorption block, a
housing, an introduction port for indoor air, an introduction port
for heated air, a return port for indoor air, and a discharge port
for used regeneration air. The adsorption block adsorbs
purification target substances in indoor air, and is regenerated by
dispersing the adsorbed purification target substances by
circulating heated air. The housing accommodates the adsorption
block therein. The introduction port for indoor air and the
introduction port for heated air are provided on one end side of
the housing. The return port for indoor air and the discharge port
for used regeneration air are provided on the other end side of the
housing. An insulating layer is provided between the housing and an
outer surface of the adsorption block.
Inventors: |
Matsumoto; Subaru;
(Wako-shi, JP) ; Kakizaki; Shinji; (Wako-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
70850712 |
Appl. No.: |
16/665036 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 2259/402 20130101;
B01D 2259/4566 20130101; B60H 3/0641 20130101; B01D 53/0446
20130101; B60H 3/0633 20130101; B01D 2259/40086 20130101; B60H
3/0085 20130101; B60H 2003/0691 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60H 3/06 20060101
B60H003/06; B01D 53/04 20060101 B01D053/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 30, 2018 |
JP |
2018-225473 |
Claims
1. An air purification device comprising: an adsorption block
configured to adsorb purification target substances in air by
indoor air being circulated, and which is regenerated by dispersing
the adsorbed purification target substances by circulating heated
air; a housing configured to accommodate the adsorption block
therein; an introduction port for indoor air and an introduction
port for heated air provided on one end side of the housing; and a
return port for indoor air and a discharge port for used
regeneration air provided on the other end side of the housing,
wherein the air purification device being switchable between an air
purification state in which the introduction port for indoor air
and the return port for indoor air are able to communicate with the
adsorption block and a regeneration state in which the introduction
port for heated air and the discharge port for used regeneration
air are able to communicate with the adsorption block, and an
insulating layer is provided between the housing and the outer
surface of the adsorption block.
2. The air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the
housing comprises a partition wall configured to partition the
inside thereof into a plurality of accommodating chambers, an
adsorption block is disposed in each of the accommodating chambers,
and the adsorption block in each of the accommodating chambers are
made switchable between the air purification state and the
regeneration state.
3. The air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the
insulating layer is constituted by a hollow chamber provided to
seal between the housing and the adsorption block.
4. The air purification device according to claim 3, wherein a
space between a circumferential edge of an air introduction-side
end portion of the adsorption block and the housing is sealed by a
first seal section, and a space between a circumferential edge of
an air discharge-side end portion the adsorption block and the
housing is sealed by a second seal section.
5. The air purification device according to claim 4, wherein a
support protrusion disposed between the first seal section and the
second seal section and in contact with the outer surface of the
adsorption block is provided on the inner surface of the
housing.
6. The air purification device according to claim 5, wherein a tip
of the support protrusion is formed in a hemi-spherical shape.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No.
2018-225473, filed Nov. 30, 2018, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an air purification device
configured to adsorb purification target substances indoors and
purify indoor air.
Description of Related Art
[0003] As an air purification device used in a vehicle or the like,
a device configured to adsorb purification target substances in the
interior using an adsorption block that supports an adsorbent such
as activated carbon or the like is known. The air purification
device is configured to take the air in the interior into a casing,
and return purified air after the purification target substances in
the air have been adsorbed by the adsorption block to the
interior.
[0004] In the adsorption block disposed in the casing, the
concentration of the purification target substances adsorbed
increases as time elapses, and an adsorption capacity gradually
decreases. As a countermeasure for this, an air purification device
configured to cause heated air to flow to the adsorption block,
disperse the purification target substances adsorbed by the
adsorption block using heat therefrom, and regenerate the
adsorption block when an adsorption capacity of the adsorption
block has decreased is known (for example, see Japanese Unexamined
Patent Application, First Publication No. 2005-255006)).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] However, since the air purification device disclosed in
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No.
2005-255006 is fixed in a state in which the adsorption block comes
into surface contact with an inner surface of a housing, when
heated air flows into the adsorption block during regeneration of
the adsorption block, heat from the adsorption block easily escapes
outside through the housing. For this reason, when the output of
the device configured to heat air is not increased, it is difficult
to sufficiently disperse the purification target substances from
the adsorption block.
[0006] An aspect of the present invention is directed to providing
an air purification device capable of efficiently dispersing
purification target substances from an adsorption block during
regeneration of the adsorption block.
[0007] (1) An air purification device according to an aspect of the
present invention includes an adsorption block configured to adsorb
purification target substances in air by indoor air being
circulated, and which is regenerated by dispersing the absorbed
purification target substances by circulating heated air; a housing
configured to accommodate the adsorption block therein; an
introduction port for indoor air and an introduction port for
heated air provided on one end side of the housing; and a return
port for indoor air and a discharge port for used regeneration air
provided on the other end side of the housing, wherein the air
purification device being switchable between an air purification
state in which the introduction port for indoor air and the return
port for indoor air are able to communicate with the adsorption
block and a regeneration state in which the introduction port for
heated air and the discharge port for used regeneration air are
able to communicate with the adsorption block, and an insulating
layer is provided between the housing and the outer surface of the
adsorption block.
[0008] In the configuration of the above-mentioned (1), when the
adsorption block is regenerated, the adsorption block is made to a
state in communication with the introduction port for heated air
and the discharge port for used regeneration air. In this state,
when the heated air is circulated in the adsorption block,
purification target substances adsorbed on the adsorption block
receive heat from the heated air and are dispersed in the air. The
air with which the purification target substances are mixed is
discharged to the outside through the discharge port for the used
regeneration air.
[0009] When the heated air is circulated in the adsorption block,
no radiation of heat from the adsorption block to the outside is
advantageous for dispersing the purification target substances.
[0010] In the air purification device of the aspect of the present
invention, since the insulating layer is provided between the
housing and the outer surface of the adsorption block, heat
transfer from the adsorption block to the housing is minimized
[0011] (2) In the aspect of the above-mentioned (1), the housing
may include a partition wall configured to partition the inside
thereof into a plurality of accommodating chambers, an adsorption
block may be disposed in each of the accommodating chambers, and
the adsorption blocks in each of the accommodating chambers may be
made switchable between the air purification state and the
regeneration state.
[0012] In this case, since the insulating layer is also interposed
between the adsorption block and the partition wall, transfer of
heat from the adsorption block to another adsorption block through
the partition wall can be minimized
[0013] (3) In the aspect of the above-mentioned (1) or (2), the
insulating layer may be constituted by a hollow chamber provided to
seal between the housing and the adsorption block.
[0014] In this case, excellent insulating properties can be
obtained by the hollow chamber, and smooth expansion of the outer
surface of the adsorption block due to heat can be allowed by the
hollow chamber. Accordingly, application of an unnecessary external
force to surroundings due to thermal expansion of the outer surface
of the adsorption block can be minimized
[0015] (4) In the aspect of the above-mentioned (3), a space
between a circumferential edge of an air introduction-side end
portion of the adsorption block and the housing may be sealed by a
first seal section, and a space between a circumferential edge of
an air discharge-side end portion the adsorption block and the
housing may be sealed by a second seal section.
[0016] In this case, the hollow chamber can be constituted using a
simple configuration.
[0017] (5) In the aspect of the above-mentioned (4), a support
protrusion disposed between the first seal section and the second
seal section and in contact with the outer surface of the
adsorption block may be provided on the inner surface of the
housing.
[0018] In this case, displacement of the adsorption block can be
restricted by the support protrusion while reducing thermal
conduction from the adsorption block to the housing to a minimum
level.
[0019] (6) In the aspect of the above-mentioned (5), a tip of the
support protrusion may be formed in a hemi-spherical shape.
[0020] In this case, sufficient support rigidity with respect to
the adsorption block can be secured by the support protrusion
having a hemi-spherical tip, and thermal conduction from the
adsorption block to the housing through the support protrusion can
be reduced.
[0021] In the aspect of the present invention, since the insulating
layer is provided between the housing and the outer surface of the
adsorption block, during regeneration of the adsorption block, heat
transfer from the adsorption block to the housing is minimized, and
heat radiation from adsorption block to the outside becomes
difficult. Accordingly, according to the aspect of the present
invention, during regeneration of the adsorption block, the
purification target substances can be efficiently dispersed from
the adsorption block.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air purification device
of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a partially cutout perspective view of the air
purification device of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the air
purification device of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the air
purification device of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an air
purification device of another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion VI in FIG. 5 of the
air purification device of the other embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air purification device 1
of the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a partially cutout perspective
view showing the air purification device 1 in FIG. 1, of which a
substantially upper half section is cut out. In addition, FIG. 3 is
a schematic cross-sectional view of the air purification device 1
showing an internal structure of the air purification device 1.
[0030] The air purification device 1 of the embodiment is a
purification device configured to purify air in a passenger
compartment of a vehicle, and at least carbon dioxide and water
vapor in the passenger compartment can be removed. The air
purification device 1 includes a pair of adsorption blocks 10A and
10B configured to cause air to circulate through the passenger
compartment and adsorb purification target substances in air, a
rectangular tubular housing 11 configured to accommodate the
adsorption blocks 10A and 10B therein, an upstream-side duct block
12 for air introduction connected to one end side of the housing
11, and a downstream-side duct block 13 for air discharge connected
to the other end side of the housing 11.
[0031] The adsorption blocks 10A and 10B each have an adsorbent
layer, through which air can flow, disposed in a block case having
a rectangular tubular shape. The adsorbent layer has a structure
configured to support or in which can be impregnated an adsorbent
such as zeolite or the like that can adsorb, for example, carbon
dioxide, water vapor, volatile organic compounds (VOC), or the
like, into a base material. In addition, the block case is formed
of, for example, a resin material in a tubular shape, and allows
circulation of the air in a direction along a tubular wall. The
tubular wall of the block case has airtightness, and restricts
leakage of the air in a direction crossing the flowing
direction.
[0032] The housing 11 has a partition wall 14 formed therein in a
flowing direction of the air. The partition wall 14 partitions the
inside of the housing 11 into two accommodating chambers 15. The
adsorption blocks 10A and 10B are disposed in the accommodating
chambers 15 corresponding thereto, respectively. In addition, the
housing 11 has a first housing 11F disposed upstream in the flowing
direction of the air and a second housing 11S disposed downstream
in the flowing direction of the air, and the first housing 11F and
the second housing 11S are adhered to each other while end surfaces
thereof abut each other.
[0033] A blowing fan 16 for internal air introduction is assembled
to an end portion of the upstream-side duct block 12 on an upstream
side. The blowing fan 16 introduces the air in the passenger
compartment into the upstream-side duct block 12. The upstream-side
duct block 12 has a common passage 12a into which air is introduced
from the blowing fan 16, and two separate passages 12b branching
off from the assembled passage 12a. The two divided passages 12b
communicate with the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B corresponding to
the inside of the housing 11. Accordingly, the air in the passenger
compartment is introduced into the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B
through the respective divided passages 12b corresponding thereto.
An opening/closing door 17 configured to switch introduction of the
air is provided on an end portion of the two divided passages 12b
on the side of the assembled passage 12a. A heating device 18
configured to heat the air introduced into the passenger
compartment is interposed into each of the divided passages
12b.
[0034] Either one of the heating devices 18 disposed in the two
divided passages 12b is selectively heated. In the embodiment, one
of the two divided passages 12b into which the air heated by the
heating device 18 is introduced serves as an introduction port for
heated air, and the other one of the two divided passages 12b into
which non-heated air is introduced serves as an introduction port
for indoor air. The introduction port for heated air and the
introduction port for indoor air are appropriately switched between
by an operation of the opening/closing door 17.
[0035] The downstream-side duct block 13 has two communication
passages 13a in communication with the adsorption blocks 10A and
10B corresponding thereto in the housing 11, a return port 13c
configured to return the purified air into the passenger
compartment, and a discharge port 13d (a discharge port for used
regeneration air) configured to discharge the air used for
regeneration of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B to the outside of
the vehicle. The communication passages 13a can selectively allow
communication with the return port 13c or the discharge port 13d
via opening/closing doors 19 and 20 configured to switch a flow
path.
[0036] Further, in FIG. 3, for the purpose of easy understanding of
the passage structure, two return ports 13c and two discharge port
13d are drawn so that they are connected to the respective
communication passages 13a for convenience.
[0037] The air purification device 1 can be switched between an air
purification state in which indoor air is purified and a
regeneration state in which the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B are
regenerated according to switching operations of the
opening/closing doors 17, 19 and 20.
[0038] Specifically, the air purification device 1 is in an air
purification state in which indoor air is purified by causing the
divided passage 12b (an introduction port for indoor air) on a side
that is not heated by the heating device 18 and the return port 13c
to come in communication with any one of the adsorption blocks 10A
and 10B. In this state, when the air in the passenger compartment
is introduced into any one of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B,
the purification target substances in the air are adsorbed by the
adsorption block. Then, the air from which the purification target
substances are removed by the adsorption block is returned into the
passenger compartment through the return port 13c of the
downstream-side duct block 13.
[0039] In addition, the air purification device 1 is in a
regeneration state in which the adsorption block is regenerated by
causing the divided passages 12b (the introduction port for heated
air) on a side heated by the heating device 18 and the discharge
port 13d to come into communication with any one of the adsorption
blocks 10A and 10B. In this state, when any one of the adsorption
blocks 10A and 10B is introduced after the air in the passenger
compartment is heated by the heating device 18, the purification
target substances adsorbed by the adsorption block are dispersed in
the air. Then, the air in which the purification target substances
are dispersed is discharged to the outside of the vehicle through
the discharge port 13d of the downstream-side duct block 13.
[0040] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an
accommodating section of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B of the
air purification device 1.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, in the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B
disposed in the accommodating chambers 15, a space between a
circumferential edge of an air introduction-side end portion and
the housing 11 is sealed by first seal sections 21, and a space
between a circumferential edge of an air discharge-side end portion
and the housing 11 is sealed by second seal sections 22. In the
embodiment, the first seal sections 21 are formed by a flange
protruding inward from the circumferential edge of the air
introduction-side end portion of the housing 11. The first seal
sections 21 are in close contact with air introduction-side end
surfaces of outer circumferences of the adsorption blocks 10A and
10B. Similarly, the second seal sections 22 are formed by a flange
protruding inward from the circumferential edge of the air
discharge-side end portion of the housing 11. The second seal
sections 22 are in close contact with the air discharge-side end
surfaces of the outer circumferences of the adsorption blocks 10A
and 10B.
[0042] In the embodiment, since the outer circumferential edge
portions of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B are in close contact
with the first seal sections 21 and the second seal sections 22, a
sealed hollow chamber 23 is formed between the housing 11 and the
outer circumferential surfaces of the adsorption blocks 10A and
10B. In the embodiment, the hollow chamber 23 configures an
insulating layer configured to block thermal conduction between the
adsorption blocks 10A and 10B and the housing 11.
[0043] A plurality of support protrusions 25 having tip portions in
contact with outer surfaces of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B
protrude at substantially intermediate positions between a
protruding position of the first seal section 21 and a protruding
position of the second seal section 22 in the inner surfaces of the
accommodating chambers 15 of the housing 11. In the case of the
embodiment, the tip portions of the support protrusions 25 are
constituted by flat surfaces. The support protrusions 25 restrict
displacement in a direction crossing the flowing direction of the
air of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B by coming in contact with
the outer surfaces of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B over a
small area.
[0044] As described above, in the air purification device 1 of the
embodiment, the hollow chamber 23 that forms the insulating layer
is provided between the housing 11 and the outer surfaces of the
adsorption blocks 10A and 10B. For this reason, during regeneration
of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B, heat transfer from the
adsorption blocks 10A and 10B to the housing 11 is minimized by an
insulating effect of the hollow chamber 23. Accordingly, heat from
the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B heated by the heated air cannot
be easily radiated to the outside through the housing 11.
Accordingly, when the air purification device 1 of the embodiment
is employed, during regeneration of the adsorption blocks 10A and
10B, the purification target substances from the adsorption blocks
10A and 10B can be efficiently dispersed.
[0045] In addition, in the air purification device 1 of the
embodiment, the inside of the housing 11 is partitioned into the
two accommodating chambers 15 by the partition wall 14, and the
adsorption blocks 10A and 10B corresponding to the insides of the
accommodating chambers are disposed, and the adsorption blocks 10A
and 10B can be switched to an air purification state and a
regeneration state according to operations of the opening/closing
doors 17, 19 and 20. Then, in the case of the air purification
device 1 of the embodiment, since the hollow chamber 23 that is an
insulating layer also bridges between the adsorption blocks 10A and
10B and the partition wall 14, transfer of heat from the one
adsorption block 10A (or 10B) to the other adsorption block 10B (or
10A) through the partition wall 14 can be minimized For this
reason, when air purification is performed by the other adsorption
block 10B (or 10A), a decrease in efficiency of the air
purification, which is caused by the heat transferred from the one
adsorption block 10A (or 10B). can be prevented.
[0046] Further, in the embodiment, while the insulating layer
between the housing 11 and the outer surfaces of the adsorption
blocks 10A and 10B is constituted by the sealed hollow chamber 23,
the insulating layer can also be constituted by an insulating
member instead of the hollow structure. However, like the
embodiment, when the insulating layer is constituted by the sealed
hollow chamber 23, thermal expansion of the outer surfaces of the
adsorption blocks 10A and 10B can be flexibly allowed by the hollow
chamber 23 while a high insulating property can be obtained.
Accordingly, when the configuration of the embodiment is employed,
application of an unnecessary external force to the surroundings
due to thermal expansion of the outer surfaces of the adsorption
blocks 10A and 10B can be minimized
[0047] In particular, in the air purification device 1 of the
embodiment, the space between the circumferential edges of the air
introduction-side end portions of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B
and the housing 11 is sealed by the first seal section 21, the
space between the circumferential edges of the air discharge-side
end portions of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B and the housing
11 is sealed by the second seal section 22, and thus, the hollow
chamber 23 is formed. In the case of the embodiment, the hollow
chamber 23 can be constituted with an extremely simple
configuration.
[0048] In addition, in the air purification device 1 of the
embodiment, the support protrusions 25 in contact with the outer
surfaces of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B are provided on the
inner surface of the housing 11 between the first seal section 21
and the second seal section 22. For this reason, displacement of
the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B can be restricted by the support
protrusions 25 while reducing thermal conduction from the
adsorption blocks 10A and 10B to the housing 11 to a minimum level.
Accordingly, when the air purification device 1 of the embodiment
is employed, it is possible to minimize rattling of the adsorption
blocks 10A and 10B in the housing 11 due to traveling vibrations or
the like of the vehicle.
[0049] Next, another embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 will be
described. Further, since a basic configuration of the embodiment
is substantially similar to the above-mentioned embodiment,
components the same as those of the above-mentioned embodiment are
designated by the same reference numerals and repeated description
thereof will be omitted below.
[0050] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the
accommodating sections of the adsorption blocks 10A and 10B of the
air purification device 1, and FIG. 6 is a further enlarged view of
a portion VI in FIG. 5.
[0051] The air purification device 1 of the embodiment is
distinguished from the above-mentioned embodiment in a shape of
each of tip portions of support protrusions 25A formed on the inner
surface of the accommodating chambers 15 of the housing 11. That
is, while the tip portions of the support protrusions 25 are
constituted by flat surfaces in the above-mentioned embodiment,
each of tip portions 25Aa of the support protrusions 25A of the
embodiment is formed in a hemi-spherical shape.
[0052] In the air purification device 1 of the embodiment, since
the tip portion 25Aa of the support protrusion 25A is formed in a
hemi-spherical shape, thermal conduction from the adsorption blocks
10A and 10B to the housing 11 through the tip portions of the
support protrusions 25A can be further reduced while securing
sufficient support rigidity due to the support protrusions 25A.
[0053] Further, the present invention is not limited to the
above-mentioned embodiments, and various design changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention. For
example, while the above-mentioned air purification device 1 is a
purification device configured to purify air in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle, the air purification device according
to the present invention is not limited to a vehicle and may be
used in a building.
[0054] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these
are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as
limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other
modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be
considered as being limited by the foregoing description, and is
only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *